Theory

Andrew Rosen, a former chief executive of Anne Klein, and the designer Elie Tahari launched Theory in New York in 1997 with a women's collection built on well-fitting stretch trousers; menswear followed in 1999. Its clean suiting, knitwear and work-to-weekend essentials are designed in New York, and the company has belonged to Uniqlo's parent, Fast Retailing, since the 2000s.